'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' ordered to pay FCC $395K

Specifically, the October 3, 2018, episode of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" used a simulated WEA tone three times during a comedy sketch.

"Jimmy Kimmel Live!" is among the shows hit with FCC fines for improper use of Emergency Alert System tones thanks to a comedy sketch that ran in the October 3, 2018 episode. The programs were accused of violating the FCC's rules on actual or simulated alert tones. Earlier that day, roughly 225 million electronic devices across the USA received the "Presidential Alert" that read "THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed", the alert said.

The agency found that ABC'sJimmy Kimmel Live! AMC paid $104,000 for an episode of "The Walking Dead" that aired in February 2019 and used the EAS tone twice.

The presidential alert system is created to warn of major threats such as missile attacks, natural disasters and acts of terrorism - but broadcasters are barred from mimicking it to avoid confusion, "alert fatigue" and false alarms.

The network said the tones were improperly used in the episode.

While sizeable, it pales in comparison to the numerous penalties imposed on The Howard Stern Show over the years - between 1990 and 2004, the FCC issued fines totalling $2.5 million to radio licensees for airing material it deemed indecent from the program, the highest amount of any American media serial in history.

When the time comes that the nation is facing a national emergency, United States President Donal Trump is assigned to order FEMA to send out information through the warning system.

Outside of the monetary penalties, the companies also agreed to what the agency called "a strict compliance plan" to make sure the alerts aren't played unless warranted again. Los Angeles-area morning radio shows also aired promos featuring the tone. The station will pay a civil fine of $67,000.